Bin alarm switch



Jail/l. 10, 1933. c. H. JOHANSSON BIN ALARM SWITCH Filed Jan. 14. 1931 s sheets shee't 1 In veninr C. H. tfohansson A llorncy Jan. 10, 1933.

c. H. JOHANSSON 1,893,862

BIN ALARM SWITCH Filed Jan. 14. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor C. /-/.t]'ohansson fimaoizm (WW/M A Home y Jan. 10, 1933.

C. H. JOHANSSON BIN ALARM SWITCH Filed Jan. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor A llomey worn or when in need Patented Jan; l0, 1933 PArsur caries CHARLES E. JOEAI TSSOH, OF TEXAS CITY,

BIN SWETCH Application filed January 14, 1931. Serial No. 592,746.

This invention relates generally to bin alarm switches, and particularly to a new and novel bin alarm switch of extraordinary efficiency and durability, and which is at the 5 same time easily and quickly installed without extensive alterations to the structurein which it is incorporated, is very cheap to manufacture, and is free of defects which would render it subject to getting out of 7 19 order.

It is the object of this invention to provide a bin alarm switch of the type mentioned above which shall have few and simple parts which are readily exchanged when of adjustment, and

which can be adjusted to very close limits whereby it may be sensitive without being easily derangeable.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an alarm switch of the type described which may be incorporated in any bin or elevator such as sugar, grain, sand,

gravehcofiee, rice and others and which permits of placing the alarm switches at intervals or at difierent levels whereby the depletion of the contents ofsuch bin or elevator may be immediately signalled, and which might also be connected to the control mechanism of .a magnetic switch operatingmechanicalelevators, conveyors, or any other machinery running in conjunction .with the bin or elevator.

These and other objects of the invention, and its nature andlits composition and arran ement and combination parts will be rea ily understood by any one acquainted with the art to which this invention relates upon consulting the following descriptions of the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a'view or the exterior of a bin or elevator and a portion thereof in which is incor orated one modification of my improved tration particularly disclosing the arrangement of the inspection plate structure, and

- It is obvious in alarm "switch, the illus showing in dotted lines the disposition of the supporting structure of the switch.

Flgure 2 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view approximately on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Fi ure 3 is a horizontal sectional View approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective of the supporting structure of the bin alarm switch of my invention.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view approximately on the line 55 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view looking upward 'in the direction of the ar- 69 rows5approximately on the line 66 of Figure t Figure 7 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view approximately on the line 7-7 looking in the direction of the arrows in Figure 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings the numeral 5 refers to the wall of the bin or elevator and the numeral 6 designates generally the switch mechanism supportm frame which is composed of generally triangular sides 7, the end plate 8, the flange 9 running completely around the ends of the structure opposite the plate 8, the laterally projecting flanges 10 on the upper edge of each plate or side 7 the cross'members 11 provided with b'olt 'holes, and the bottom cross member or flange 12 also provided with bolt'holes, the

bolt holes being indicated by the numeral 13 in the case of the art 12 and the part 11;

that t is construction leaves the large end of the structure 6 open. Through the bolt holes 14 in the flange 9, is projected a plural'ty of bolts which also pass through a gasket and into the wall of the bin or'elevator about an aperture in the said wall as indicated at 16. The bolts referred to are numbered 15 in thedrawings. The gasket is used to render the joints dust-proof as is required, since accumulation of dust or t are welded to the sides 7 and the flanges 10 at 7 intermediate spaced points, these cross bars 17 have a function which will be explained below.

' For closing the aperture 16; or rather for closing the opening in the structure 6, there is provi ed an inspection plate 18 which is provided with a gasket and a countersunk arrangement whereby it closes the opening and the supporting structure 6 in a dust-proof manner, and itis retained in position by pivoted s ring retainers 19 disposed around the side 0 the cover plate and pivotally attached 'as at 20 to the flange 9 of the supporting structure 6. The numeral 21 refers to the electrical conduits which are lead to the contacts of the alarm'switch'which will be described below.

Special attention must be given the construction of the top or table of the switch. The top or table consists of an angularly I disposed platform 22 which is disposed upon the su porting structure 6 so that the cross bars 1 support it at intermediate points; Placedupon the platform 22 is a sheet of leather or hide 23 which is secured to the top 22 by countersunk angle irons 24 and countersunk ribs 25. It is highly important that the top be absolutel smooth and present no obstacles to the slidlng off of the contents of 'the bin when it has reached a point of depletion below the switch. Between the top and the. side flanges 10 is provided a gasket 26 for rendering the connection of the top with the supfiorti'ng structure absolutely dust-proof. Al e purpose is served by a block 27 placedin the angular space at the top of the board betwe'e'nthe top of the board and the wall of the bin or elevator. I

Centrally of -the top 22 there is provided a square or oblong opening 28. A block 29, conforming in shape to the opening 28, but having a. clearance from the walls of the opening 28 on all sides thereof, is placed so that it rests on the cross bars 17 of'the' supporting structure. The block must be so proportioned that when it is rested upon the said cross bars 17 its top will meetthe sheet of I leather 23, and yet not distort the portion of the leather which it touches, out of the plane of the remainder of the leather sheet disposed on the upper face of the top 22. A certain amount of slack is left in the leather as indicated by the dotted lines 30 whereby a cer tain upward mov'ementof the block 29 is permitted for a purpose to be explained. A

- plunger 31 has suitable mountings 32' attached to the underside of the block 29, and 33 attached to a dielectric block 34. The plunger 31 slidably passes through the mounting 33 and the dielectric block 84. Adjustable vertically disposed supporting rods 35 are suitably mounted in fittings 36 attached to the underside of the top 22 on each side of the opening 28. The rods 35 are screw threaded for the greater part of their length. This provides forscrewthreadedl mounting the dielectric block 34 by means 0 adj ustin nuts 37, whereby to adjust the distance of t e dielectric block 34 from the lower side of'the top 22, whereby to adjust the proper relation of the plunger 31 carried by the block 29. As-observed in Figure 5 particularly, there is disposed between the mountings 32" and 33 and circomposed about the plunger 31 a heavy coiled spring-38 which is adapted to project the plunger and block 29 upwardly into the dotted line osition shown in Figure 5, for retracting the plunger out of contact with the companion contact making mechanism. The companion contact making mechanism consists of a dielectric block 39 supported by adjusting nuts 40 on the lower rtion of the rods 35 and spaced from the dielectric block 34. The dielectric block 39 carries a vertically suspended contact 41 which is slidably and spring pressedly supported on a standard 42 by 'a small coiled spring 43. The

standard 42 is screw-threadedly and verti cally adjustable in a fitting 44 through the agency of an adjusting nut 45. The standard 42 passes through the didlectric block 39. Suitable electric conduits 46 and 47 provide for connecting the switch in a suitable circuit as suggested above.

It will now be obvious that whenever the contents of a bin or elevator is above or substantially on a level with the switch, the block 29 will be depressed into contacting its plunger '31-with the contact 41, since the weight of the contents of the bin or the'like will. be

suflicient to overcome the projective force of the spring 38. However, whenever the contents of the bin or the like falls below this level, every vestige of the contents of the bin will roll or slide from the top of the switch structure, and the spring 38 will immediately force or project the block outwardly, taking advantageof the slack in the leather sheet 23, and this movement will retract the rod 31 out of contact with the contact mechanism 41, thusbreaking the circuit and causing an alarm of whatever character may be connected with the switch.

the vertical movement of the contact mechanism 41 is to overcome the harshness of the contact whenever the plunger 31 is forced downwardly. The nuts 45 and 40 are particularly provided for adjusting the gap between the contact elements.

The nuts 37 are particularly provided to adjust the tension of the spring 38.

I consider it particularly important that all joints in the supporting structure 6 be welded, and those parts or points thereof which are movable or to opened, must be provided with gaskets to absolutely prevent The principal object of the spring 43 and an electrical circuit closer ing positive opening ofthe circuit closer.

. neeaeea 3 the intrusion of dust or the like into the interior of the switch structure.

It is believed now to be evident that l have provided a bin alarm switch of the type described above which is susceptible of simple and quick installation in a variety of positions in a bin or elevator of the type outlined, and which is cheap and simple to manufacture, is not subject to become out of order easily, which is easily repaired and adjusted, and which is otherwise admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was designed.

It is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of this invention to the particular modification set out herein to illustrate the principles thereof, and any change or changes may be made in material and arrangement of parts and in structure, consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.:

What is claimed is 1. A bin alarm switch structure of the type described comprising a dustproof casing adapted to be disposed within a bin and be secured to oneof the sidewalls thereof,adownwardly sloping upper frame forming the top of the casing, a flexible dustproof medium covering said frame, a plate in contact with the under side of the flexible medium and movably supported relative to the frame, a plunger depending from said plate means on the lower end of the plunger for actuating disposed within the casing, a support depending from said frame spring means carried by the support for maintaining said plate in normally raised position relative to the frame thereby carrymg the plunger normally out of position for actuating said circuit closer, said plate and said plunger being adapted tobe depressed by material in the bin'so as to actuate said circuit closer when the level of the contents of the bin is above said plate, said frame being arranged at a slant so as to receive the outward as well as the downward pressure of material in the bin, and so as to permit the material to slide gravitationally therefrom when reduced below the level thereof, whereby to insure the absence of material thereon when the material is below such level, insur 2. A bin alarm switch ior opening a C11- cuit when the contents of a bin or the like is reduced below a level, comprising a dust-- proof casing secured to a side wall within the bin a slanted top on the casing for causing gravitational sliding therefrom of the contents of the bin when the level of the contents is reduced below the level of the said top, a depressible plate movable in an opening in the top, a flexible dustproof covering on the top and over said depressible plate, adjustable supporting means depending from the top and within the casing, a contact rod depending from said depressible tion by said contact rod for closing a circuit when the depressible plate is depressed while the contents of the bin rests upon the top;

3. A bin alarm switch for opening a circuit when the contents of a bin or the like is reduced below a level, comprising a dustprooit casing secured to a side wall within the bin, a slanted top on the casing for causing gravitational sliding therefrom of the contents of the bin when the level of the contents is reduced below the level of the said top, a depressible plate movable in an opening in the top, a flexible dustproof covering on the top and over said depressible plate,-

adjustable supporting means depending from the top and within the casing, a contact rod depending i'rom said depressible plate, a spring on the rod and acting between the plate and the adjustable support for normally upwardly positioning the plate, said contactrod being movable relative to the adjustable support, and contact means carried by the adjustable support for actuation by said contact rod for closing a circuit when the depressible plate is depressed while the con tents of the bin rests upon the top, said contact means comprising a slidable bar carried by the said adjustable support, a contact head on the upper end of the slidable bar adapted to be connected by the lower end of the contact rod for closing the circuit, a spring acting between. the head and the adjustable support for yieldably positioning the bar and head, and means on the lower end oi the bar for adjusting the projection into position or said her and head.

4. A. bin alarm for opening a circuit when the contents of a bin or the like is reduced below a level, comprising a dustproof casing secured to a side wall within the bin, a slanted top on the casing for causing gravitational sliding therefrom oi the contents of the bill when the level of the contents is reduced below the level of the said top, a depressible plate movable in an opening in the top, a flextact means carried by the adjustable support.

for actuation by said contact rod for closing a circuit when the depresslble plate is depressed while the contents of the bin rests upon the top, said contact means comprising 1 a slidable bar carried by the said adjustable support, a contact head on the upper end of the slidable bar adapted to be connectedxby the lower end of the contact rod for closing the circuit, a spring acting between the hea and the ad'ustable support for yieldably positioning t e bar and head, and means on the lower end of the bar for adjustin the projection into position of said bar and ead, and ad'ustable means on said adjustable, frame or carrying said adjustable contact means. L In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES H. JOHANSSON. 

